XRP News Today: ADGM's Green Light Boosts RLUSD as a Link Between the U.S. and Middle East

Ripple’s RLUSD Stablecoin Gains Regulatory Approval in Abu Dhabi

Ripple’s RLUSD stablecoin has achieved a major regulatory milestone in the United Arab Emirates, as the Abu Dhabi Global Market (ADGM) has officially recognized it as an Accepted Fiat-Referenced Token. The Financial Services Regulatory Authority (FSRA) of ADGM has granted this approval, allowing authorized institutions to utilize RLUSD for regulated purposes such as payments and collateral management within the region.

This development marks Ripple’s entry into one of the world’s most strictly regulated cryptocurrency centers, furthering its goal to establish RLUSD as a compliant settlement solution throughout the Middle East.

Introduced in late 2024 under a New York DFS trust charter, RLUSD has rapidly expanded to a market cap of over $1.2 billion. This growth is fueled by institutional interest in a transparent, dollar-backed stablecoin with clear reserve and redemption policies.

RLUSD’s use in essential financial services is on the rise, with 80% of its circulating supply now operating on the Ethereum blockchain. The ADGM’s endorsement supports Ripple’s broader initiative to create regulatory connections between the U.S. and Middle Eastern markets, leveraging its New York compliance to streamline cross-border dollar transactions.

ADGM’s reputation for rigorous digital asset regulations continues to attract major financial institutions, including Zand Bank and Mamo. Jack McDonald, Ripple’s Senior Vice President, highlighted that RLUSD’s growing use in payments and collateral is establishing it as a preferred USD stablecoin among large institutions. Analysts predict this momentum could soon place RLUSD among the top five stablecoins by market capitalization.

The regulatory clarity provided by ADGM positions RLUSD as a core infrastructure asset, rather than a speculative investment—an important distinction for enterprise adoption. RLUSD’s full USD backing, independent attestations, and segregated reserves meet the stringent requirements set by ADGM and other international regulators.

This regulatory progress supports Ripple’s vision to embed RLUSD within its cross-border payment offerings, such as Ripple Prime and crypto on-ramp solutions.

Ripple’s expansion in the Middle East continues, with recent partnerships in Bahrain and Africa, and regulatory approvals from Dubai’s DFSA earlier in 2025. With nearly 3,000 licensed entities in ADGM, this approval provides a robust foundation for RLUSD’s broader adoption, potentially enhancing its role in capital markets and treasury operations.

While RLUSD’s strong presence on Ethereum has prompted discussion about Ripple’s focus compared to its native XRP Ledger (XRPL), institutional adoption remains strong. In November 2025 alone, over 100 million RLUSD were issued on XRPL, demonstrating sustained demand for cross-border settlement solutions.

Reece Merrick, Ripple’s Managing Director for the Middle East, emphasized that the UAE’s regulatory leadership has positioned ADGM as a global standard-setter for digital asset innovation. This approval further validates RLUSD’s compliance and sets the stage for deeper regional integration, with Ripple planning to work closely with partners to expand its digital finance ecosystem.